Comments on: OKC's Low Ranking on Walkability Makes New York Times List http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/04/03/okcs-low-ranking-on-walkability-makes-new-york-times-list/ The Oklahoman's Steve Lackmeyer covers downtown OKC brick by brick. Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:15:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Dennis http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/04/03/okcs-low-ranking-on-walkability-makes-new-york-times-list/comment-page-1/#comment-2466 Dennis Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:07:46 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=1096#comment-2466 Steve, People won't drive a car when it's easier to walk. THAT’S when pedestrianism becomes the best mode of transportation. The planning that created Rose Creek didn't benefit people living in downtown. Only an egalitarian thinks that every plan has to benefit every citizen. If downtown shouldn’t be improved because you suburbanites don’t understand the plan, then the converse should also be true, shouldn’t it? That thinking just doesn’t work… I’m referring to the growing minority of Oklahoma City urbanites. Steve,
People won’t drive a car when it’s easier to walk. THAT’S when pedestrianism becomes the best mode of transportation.

The planning that created Rose Creek didn’t benefit people living in downtown. Only an egalitarian thinks that every plan has to benefit every citizen. If downtown shouldn’t be improved because you suburbanites don’t understand the plan, then the converse should also be true, shouldn’t it? That thinking just doesn’t work…

I’m referring to the growing minority of Oklahoma City urbanites.

]]> By: Steve http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/04/03/okcs-low-ranking-on-walkability-makes-new-york-times-list/comment-page-1/#comment-2465 Steve Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:41:43 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=1096#comment-2465 Dennis ~ And pedestrianism is the "best mode of transportation" why?! Be at least a little quantitative. Also, city planning is usually around benefitting the most people for as little dollars as possible. Which minority are you referring to? Dennis ~ And pedestrianism is the “best mode of transportation” why?! Be at least a little quantitative.

Also, city planning is usually around benefitting the most people for as little dollars as possible. Which minority are you referring to?

]]> By: Nick Roberts http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/04/03/okcs-low-ranking-on-walkability-makes-new-york-times-list/comment-page-1/#comment-2464 Nick Roberts Sun, 05 Apr 2009 22:36:16 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=1096#comment-2464 Ironically I actually like all of the cities on that list except El Paso and Jaxville. All of them are also more urban than OKC.. Ironically I actually like all of the cities on that list except El Paso and Jaxville. All of them are also more urban than OKC..

]]> By: Dennis http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/04/03/okcs-low-ranking-on-walkability-makes-new-york-times-list/comment-page-1/#comment-2463 Dennis Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:17:45 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=1096#comment-2463 The suburban phenomenon wasn’t a result of flight from urban density, but rather because of cheap land becoming accessible by cheap motorized transportation. Being a child of the suburbs (who like most didn’t have a clue of what we were missing) I too was of the opinion that pedestrianism only occurred in parking lots. And back then I would have agreed with Steve… so what? America works on cars! Cities like OKC that developed mostly after the establishment of car culture, were designed to accommodate the cars, not the people on the street. Pedestrianism happens organically in successful urban environments not because the people want exercise or to reduce pollution, but because that’s the best mode of transportation! Steve is correct in saying that better walkability won’t improve life for the majority of city dwellers. But is that a valid reason to abandon improving it for the minority? No. Urban OKC is in the midst of a transformation that deserves better walkability. The suburban phenomenon wasn’t a result of flight from urban density, but rather because of cheap land becoming accessible by cheap motorized transportation. Being a child of the suburbs (who like most didn’t have a clue of what we were missing) I too was of the opinion that pedestrianism only occurred in parking lots. And back then I would have agreed with Steve… so what? America works on cars!

Cities like OKC that developed mostly after the establishment of car culture, were designed to accommodate the cars, not the people on the street. Pedestrianism happens organically in successful urban environments not because the people want exercise or to reduce pollution, but because that’s the best mode of transportation!

Steve is correct in saying that better walkability won’t improve life for the majority of city dwellers. But is that a valid reason to abandon improving it for the minority? No. Urban OKC is in the midst of a transformation that deserves better walkability.

]]> By: Steve http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/04/03/okcs-low-ranking-on-walkability-makes-new-york-times-list/comment-page-1/#comment-2462 Steve Sun, 05 Apr 2009 02:55:02 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=1096#comment-2462 And to this comment, I'd reply ... so?! I realize that walkability is good because it promotes exercise and reduces pollution. But many people, especially families, don't live in the city, hence the rise of the suburb long, long ago. Making a city "more walkable" by the articles definition, won't raise the quality of life for most people. And to this comment, I’d reply … so?! I realize that walkability is good because it promotes exercise and reduces pollution. But many people, especially families, don’t live in the city, hence the rise of the suburb long, long ago. Making a city “more walkable” by the articles definition, won’t raise the quality of life for most people.

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